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Pastor-Phobia

The only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, that is, unbelief (Matthew 12:31-32). This of course is an old, antiquated superstition. We all know that the true unforgivable sin is belief in Christ.

In typical fashion BuzzFeed took to the internetz to dump on Christianity. But, you know, their hard hitting journalism really paid off when they investigated the extremely popular HGTV “Fixer Upper” couple Chip and Joanna Gaines, who, get this, might believe that homosexuality is a sin. Why? Because their pastor believes it is. God forbid members at a Christian church listen to their pastor and (shocker) believe him!

Two things are going on here that are simply ridiculous. First, you have a smear story about a couple who might believe something but there is no evidence that they do. So what do you do? You print the story! And what’s up with that title, “Chip And Joanna Gaines’ Church Is Firmly Against Same-Sex Marriage.” Uh okay, here’s a headline, “BuzzFeeds’ Industry Is Firmly Against Loss In Profits.” True, but is that really a story about BuzzFeed or is it about their industry? Perhaps you could make the case that the two are synonymous, BuzzFeed and their entertainment industry. But then should I expect that the two act contrary of the other?

Second, here you possibly have a story about Christians believing Christian things. WHAT! Oh the humanity! Is anything predictable anymore! Does fame and fortune make being a Christian impossible, or is unbelief obligatory and based on good reviews and ratings? And then there’s the age old question, how can you really be likable if you’re so clearly a hater? Is it just logically insane to think that Christians can actually love homosexuals but think their lifestyle is a sin?

What BuzzFeed has done is clear, in a proactive approach to cleanse all media of anything they deem as blasphemy, they smear the reputation of their enemies. Christians are hypocrites when they say they love sinners, but won’t accept sin. BuzzFeed and their kin appear to get a pass on loving Christians because, you know, their zealous pastors are against homosexuality.

Why the pastor-phobia? Is it because BuzzFeed wants to indoctrinate you, and won’t settle for your church’s doctrine? I think so. Is it because of a fear of pastors who speak intelligently about sin, are really loving people, and that their message of Christ crucified for sinners is for people–homosexuals and those lost in heterosexual sins too? Yes! Isn’t it true that what BuzzFeed is really saying is that it’s okay for pastors to be bigots, because it’s expected, but not our famous (and lovable) tv icons! Not our media consumers! God forbid!

Taking theological advice from BuzzFeed is like looking for the source of my sins using the symptom checker on WebMD. It just doesn’t work, and neither does their journalism.